OneFund to distribute another $18.5m to bombing victims

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The One Fund Boston, which was set up to aid Boston Marathon bombing survivors, said it will distribute $18.5 million to more than 200 wounded survivors of the blasts and the families of those who lost loved ones.

The distributions bring to more than $80 million the total of cash gifts, support programs, and services distributed by the One Fund, the organization said Tuesday.

“This effort was made possible by the unprecedented donations from more than 200,000 individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations across all 50 states and more than 60 countries,” the organization said.

The organization also said it had donated $1.5 million to establish the One Fund Center, located at Massachusetts General Hospital and operated in collaboration with Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, with a two-year mission to provide personalized care and support for those injured; evaluate and assess the limitations created by their injuries, both mental and physical; and “maximize their lifetime potential through proven programs and innovative treatments.”

The center “is designed as a resource for survivors, their families, and the victims’ families to connect them with exceptional care and each other,” said Jim Gallagher, president of the board of One Fund Boston, the charity established by city leaders in the aftermath of the bombings.

Coping strategies — including stress-management techniques — and psychological counseling will be among the services offered.

The April 15, 2013, bombings at the Marathon killed three people and wounded more than 260 others, shocking the region and the nation. Several days later, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the accused bombers, allegedly killed an MIT police officer. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed during a confrontation with police; Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is awaiting a federal trial that could bring him the death penalty.

The cash gifts are being distributed in four categories: first, to the families of those who lost loved ones; second, to people who lost limbs; third, to people who spent more than 12 days in the hospital; fourth, to people who spent less than 12 nights in the hospital; and fifth, to people who received outpatient treatment.

“The majority of the funds available will be disbursed to those survivors with the most severe physical injuries. Those suffering from extremity injuries that will require a lifetime of care and, in many instances, expensive prosthetics that may not be covered by insurance, were determined to need the most resources in this final distribution to individuals,” the organization said.

Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for the One Fund, said in a phone interview that any future revenues will be “given to programs and services.”

“The One Fund, as it’s been known, will transition out of giving cash gifts to individuals,” Joyce said.

Joyce declined to comment when asked if the charity flagged any suspicious applications during the second round. She did say that the group works closely with law enforcement and performs independent audits of its programs and finances.